Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-02-24
long ago. that you were aflianced to

was sure she had not taken her eyes off.
that mill chimney. "Monroe's fine,
good fellow, and worth $25, 900, and we
mean to be married within a year"
at is not of him that wish to speak.
Do You think it right to trife with
the feelings of Mr.. Swazee when you
mean to marry another man."
what" said she, with a pleased
laugh, changing her attitude to one
more natural and less becoming, "do
you think he is getting seriousP'
81 certainly do think so, Nellie. You
ought to know better than any one else;
you ought not to encourage false hopes"
Dear me, do you think | ought to
wear badge labelling myself 'taken?'
Your notions of honor are very fine, in-
deed. May l ask if there is personal
reason for this interference Perhaps
you are being hurt more than Mr.. Swa-
zee"
With these words ON her lips, and
not waiting for reply, Nellie rose and
went to meet Matte Merlin, who was
seen coming over the stile leading to
the school-grounds. AS she left the
step there was rattle Of keys and the
door swung back, revealing Mr.. Swa-
zee standing just within. Had he heardP
My cheeks burned as / crossed the
Threshold. When / had mustered
courage to lift my eyes they encount-
cred an amused sparkle in his, and
leaning toward me he said, in low
tone:
"Do not be troubled for me, Miss
Alternately, / guard my heart with
special care this winter"
l gazed up at him while he was
speaking, my cheeks growing hotter
and hotter, and then turned and fled
to my room, closing the door after me.
Fortunately, there were no pupils pres
ent. l flung myself into chair and
broke into passionate sobs. Had he
suspected my love? If not, what meant
that look of mingled comprehension
and amusement in his eyes Would
he think me a fussing, meddling busy
bodyp With such questions did /
torment myself. 1t was with difficulty
that l could calm myself in time for the
days duties. was scarcely conscious
of what did. was brought to my
senses short time before noon by the
piping of shrill voice in n far corner.
1t belonged to a very audacious but
very well-intentioned small boy.
Teacher" it said, "we're actin up
awful to-day you don't care, do you ?
Mollie Embers says you've got the
contumshun to-day and don't care a
shoestring if we pull the roof down"
CHANGING up, wide awake now, ! saw
the little man standing in the aisle with
paper cap on his head, and clinging
to his arm was very young lady
arrayed in hat and shawl.
"What were you and Mollie about to
do ?" inquired.
"We's just married. Bob FinneSan,
he married us, and Yves goin' off on
our wedding trip"
And where did you get your we'd
ding clothes?" / asked, with the great
est gravity.
"Oh, we got engaged at recess, and
we brought in the shawl and things
when the bell rungr'
Again after the close of the school
watched for Mr.. Swazee's step on the
STAIR If only the other teachers
would 90 first! They did. As he was
descending the steps / left my door
and advanced to the balustrade.
Mr.. Swazee," l said, "will you
enter my room moment?"
Certainly, Miss Alternately"
l could not look up. He walked in
before me, and / closed the door, gave
him a chair and seated myself on
| another.
u purpose rendering my resigna
ton to the school-board tonight, and
wished to tell you," | said.
" You will resign-whatp" he asked
with aggravating suavity.
d" My position as teacher, of course,
jerked out, nervously.
Would it not be well to wait unit
the end of the school yearp That il
now near, you know. l had though
of asking you to resign then"
"You had-you had thought-yol
thought of asking-what can yol
know of my workP You never com,
to observe it, l said, incoherently.
"Will you not wait until the end o
the term?n he inquired, suavely.
"No, will not. l will resign to
day."
1.-The board will expect you to assign
some reason. May ask what reason
you will give?"
at will be reason enough tina
you wish it," l said, bitterly. M,
hands trembling violently lay one owe
the other on the desk before me. HI
rose and advancing placed his RICH
hand upon mine. shall never forge
the electric shock of the contact, but
said, haughtily:.
"Do not touch mer'
GAS you please about that" he said
removing his hand, "but would yo1
like to know why ask you to resignP'
Something new had stolen into hi
voice. 1t was no longer marked b
stately courtesy or calm suavity. Their
was in it tremor of excitement an
anxiety. 1t was as if an actor ha
dropped the personality of another t
put on his real self. Iglanced upwar
for the first time. What / saw in hi
eyes routed the remnant of my sell
control. My eyelids dropped, m
cheeks burned, my heart beat like
drum badly played. | could not repl
to his question.
at was that you might accer
another position that | meditated r,
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